Because of you, Friendly House continues to serve kids under pressure, kids who need safe and constructive activities, and kids whose lives benefit from steady support. Every number we generate, every child who gets a better grade card, every kid who eats a balanced meal, happens because of YOU, the people who support Friendly House. We have completed another successful year as we celebrate 130 years serving Richland County with the past 75 years being from our current Mulberry Street location.

A lot of exciting things have and are happening here at the community center as well as at Happy Hollow and Hidden Hollow Camps. First and foremost, thanks to all of our staff and our community, Friendly House was selected as the Large Non-Profit of the Year for 2024 by the Richland County Chamber of Commerce.  The other great news is that we are back to being fully enrolled as Covid is not in the rear view mirror.  Some of the largest projects in the last few years are our new parking lots, green space and the wonderful waterfall. Added in late December 2021, a new flag pole and flag raised on the Friendly House property. At Hidden Hollow, the Cool Blue Pool has gone under a massive repair operation which will help maintain the longevity of the pool for years to come. Also, at Hidden Hollow, we have taken the time we have had off from the 2020 season to start a major reconstruction of the Boys’ and Girls’ Main Camp Washhouses! These major renovations at HHC were completed in time for the limited 2021 camping season. Friendly House also completed an installation of 43 new windows at the community center, finishing a several year long grant process.  Friendly House with the assistance of the community and our wonderful donors completed the ‘2nd Exit Project’ at Hidden Hollow Camp, increasing the safety and emergency access.  In 2023, we completed major roof repairs at the Happy Hollow Lodge a new expanded Playground – and the campers love it!  In 2024 Friendly House was able to install a new emergency generator, making Friendly House available in cases of community need.  As we stretch our legs into 2025 we prepare to make major repairs to the Hidden Hollow Cool Blue Pool, and start the design phase of new dormitory cabins.  At Friendly House, we plan on making updates to the Friendly House Kitchen while at Happy Hollow will be updated with a new emergency generator and heat for the lodge.

As our facilities age, we are always trying to find ways to make improvements while keeping the cost as low as possible and 2025 into 2026 is no exception. Here at the community center we continue to plan and raise funds for brand new playground. At Hidden Hollow we continue to raise funds for new updated sleeping cabins. At Happy Hollow we hope to expand the parking lot.  We have accomplished so much over the last several years and we are looking toward the future.

Thank You for your continuing support, volunteerism and kind donations. We thank each and every one of YOU, for making Friendly House a positive place where good things happen… because of YOU.

Terry Conard, Executive Director, Friendly House

To learn additional information check out Mr. Terry discussing Friendly House and our connection to United Way of Richland County:

FRIENDLY HOUSE UNITED WAY VIDEO         2025 LARGE NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR VIDEO